Geeky Griffin!!!!!!!!!! With half – term almost upon us, children across Wheelers Lane Primary School enjoyed some friendly, yet highly competitive, Inter-House rivalry as their quiz teams were pitted against each other in front of their respective supporters. Teams of 4 were picked using results from the knock out round, which took place at the start of the General Knowledge quiz, with the top 4 house teams being selected. Teams were then questioned by Mr Bishop our entertaining Quiz Master on topics ranging from ‘Science and Nature’ to ‘Famous People’. The ‘Picture Round’ and ‘Guess the Sound Round’ proved as popular as ever, whilst the ‘Brain Buster’ rounds also got them thinking….. ‘Brain Busters’ allowed the scorers Mr Knight, Miss Barnes and Mrs Pecheur to catch up. These were followed by score updates from Mr Byron which helped keep tension levels high. The lead changed hands throughout the quiz and in the end, only a handful of points separated all four Houses. However, final winners went to the Yellow House ‘Geeky Griffin’, team of Sally Reynolds (6S), Audrey Cooper (4K), Grace Cooper-Lo (6S) and Ariela Aga (6S). The girls were presented with a medal and 500 points for their house. Well done to the runners up ‘Fire Girls’ who were made up of Allanah Gardiner (6S), Mischa (6R) and Jaya Choudhary (1B) and Elizabeth Jones (6R). Also, a special well done to Allanah Gardiner’s mom in 6R who won the parent’s quiz, she received a sweet treat and 100 points for her daughter’s house. Thanks to all the staff and children for helping to make it such a fun event. Who will make the teams next year? Look out for our next Inter-House competition, which will be ‘Number Day’, held on the 2nd of February 2018.

House Captains

Each child in the school is given a coloured house to represent - Phoenix (red), Dragon (green), Griffin (yellow) and Pegasus (blue). Every child and member of staff is given one of these four Houses to support. Each child is placed in a House on entry to school and remains a member of this tea throughout their time at the school. Siblings are placed in the same House Team. House Captains are elected from Year 6 pupils and Vice Captains and they provide positive leadership to the children in their House and the various competitions and events organized throughout the year. Teaching and non – teaching staff also belong to a House, and they encourage and support the children in a positive team building through the House System.

Our Responsibilities

The House Captains are responsible for leading their House in competitions and events, and representing the school in the community and a range of school events and activities. The responsibilities of the House Captains are :-

. To set an example to the other children.

. To earn house points and encourage others to do so.

. To represent the house when collecting awards.

Earning House Points

House Points can be awarded by all staff to children for a variety of reasons. For example:

. Polite, well mannered behavior.

. Demonstrating a caring attitude towards peers.

. Working to the best of their ability.

. Good attendance.

. Putting special effort into a piece of work.

. Neatly presented work.

. Positive attitude towards work.

. Sporting achievement.

. Taking part in competitions and events.

. Helpful approaches to different situations.

At the end of the week, the house points are counted by the House Captains and vices and updates are given weekly, of which team is in the lead and added to the house points chart.

House points are then tallied over the course of a term, a winner is announced, and the children in that house are rewarded with a special treat.

At the end of the year, once all House points are tallied, the House Champions will be announced. The winning house will be awarded their ribbons on the House Cup.

In Autumn term 2017, we are planning some inter – house competitions, and throughout the academic year. Children will take part in a variety of Inter – House events, these events will appear on the website and in a termly newsletter.

House Competitions

House Competitions will take place throughout the year; all competitions will give children the opportunity to win house points. House points are added together and the house with the most points at the end of the year wins the overall house competition. Children quickly form an allegiance to their house and a sense of fun and friendly competition pervades all the house events.

Friendly house rivalry will teach children the value of teamwork and how to be gracious in both victory and defeat. It is with this in mind, that we have created a series of competitions throughout the year, that allow children to compete against one another by representing their houses.

This system aims to encourage a real sense of pride and achievement for the children. It fosters community spirit and gives the children an opportunity to contribute to something bigger, which involves children from all year groups. We are looking forward to developing our House Teams system this term, in particular through our notice board, through the school website and through our Inter – House competitions. We will then continue this system throughout the academic year hoping that it will become a central element of school life at Wheelers Lane Primary School.